Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Resort is a resort and theme-park tourist destination located near Orlando, Florida. Built after California's Disneyland proved successful, the Walt Disney World resort covers approximately 27,5000 acres devoted to Walt Disney's vision of a destination that would provide a complete vacation opportunity for visiting families.

Developed under the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Walt Disney World theme parks have grown from the original Magic Kingdom (opened October 1, 1971) to include Epcot (opened October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (May 1, 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (opened April 22, 1998). The park arose when Walt Disney sought to create a new, more expansive resort after opening Disneyland in 1955. His company purchased large amounts of what was then a combination of swamps and cow pastures under fake company names in the 1960s, and commenced construction on the complex soon after. Over a decade after its original opening, a second theme part opened called Epcot, meant to be a permanent worlds fair. This was followed by Hollywood-themed and wildlife-themed parks in the 1980s and 90s.

Contents

Resorts

From a handful of hotels and a campground when it opened in 1971, Walt Disney World has grown to 25 resorts and a campground featuring architecture designed to reflect differing themes. Resorts are grouped according to their relative expense, sometimes also reflecting the amount of space provided by the accommodations.

The Value Disney World Hotels

All-Star Movies Resort

All-Star Music Resort

All-Star Sports Resort

Pop Century Resort

The Moderate Disney World Resorts

Caribbean Beach Resort

Coronado Springs Resort

Port Orleans Resort Riverside

Port Orleans Resort French Quarter

Home Away From Home

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Deluxe Disney Hotels

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Beach Club Resort

BoardWalk Inn

Contemporary Resort (one of the two original hotels at Magic Kingdom)

Grand Floridian Resort

Polynesian Resort (one of the two original hotels at Magic Kingdom)

Walt Disney World Swan (not Disney owned)

Walt Disney World Dolphin (not Disney owned)

Wilderness Lodge

Yacht Club Resort

Disney Deluxe Villas

Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas

Beach Club Villas

Boardwalk Villas

Old Key West Resort

Wilderness Lodge Villas

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Other Disney Resort Hotels

Shades of Green

Golf Courses

Disney's Palm Golf Course

Disney's Magnolia Golf Course

Bonnet Creek Golf Courses

Lake Buena Vista Course

Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course

Miniature Golf Courses

Fantasia Gardens Two 18-hole miniature golf courses which were themed based on Disney's animated theme Fantasia. One course is a traditional miniature golf course while the other is a miniature version of a standard 18-hole course.

Winter Summerland Two 18-hole miniature golf courses which are designed to contrast one another. One course sports a "snow"-clad Florida look while the other features a more tropical, holiday theme complete with Christmas ornaments hung from palm trees.

Downtown Disney

A shopping and entertainment district, Downtown Disney is separated into three distinct sections: Market Place, Pleasure Island and the West Side. Each area features unique restaurants and shops, not all of which focus on Walt Disney merchandise and memorabilia.

Water Parks

Disney's River Country (opened June 20, 1976 and permanently closed on November 1, 2001)